Cloth-handling apparatus.



W. I. LEWIS. CLOTH HANDLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEGA, 1913.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. LEWIS'.

CLOTH HANDLING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED 1320.4, 191s.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

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W. I. LEWIS.

CLOTH HANDLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 4, 1913. Lm. Patented Jan.5,1915.

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CLOTH HANDLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 4. 1913 Patnted Jan. 5, 1915'.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

. I'. LEWIS.

CLOTH HANDLING APPARATUS..

APBLIGATION FILED 1320.4, 1913,

nesses.- @ma QCM am @JM um., i. im i l wILLAnn I. LEWIS, or wALPoLE, MASSACHUSETTS, Assreivon. ro FRANK A. SAYLES, or PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND.

CLOTH-HANDLING APPARATUS.

aisance..

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLARD I. LEWIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Walpole, in the county of Norfolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Cloth-Handling Apparatus, of which the following is a speeiication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention is designed more particularly for employment in the treatment of cloth in continuous web form, it being applicable also in that of yarns in continuous skein form. i

It has relation to apparatus or machines of a class' used more especially in dyeing, bleaching, and the like processes, and vconstructed with a storage-chamber of large capacity in which a' web of cloth in rope-form, for instance, or a series of webs joined together end to end, is piled and accumulated until a large quantity occupies the chamber, wherein it undergoes the action of the solution with which it is treated, the web being continuously fed into the chamber at the receiving end of the latter and continuously withdrawn at the delivering end thereof so that the operation isy continuous and progressive.

One aim of the invention is to provide for eneeting positively the gradual advance of the general pile or accumulation of cloth toward the point at which the withdrawal from the storage-chamber takes place.

Another aim is to provide for automatically regulating the rate of such advance.

Another aim is to provide for automatically regulating the rate of travel of the cloth in being withdrawn from the storage chamber or being supplied thereto, as the case may be, so as to guard against an overaccumulation in the storage-chamber, or too rapid withdrawal therefrom.

The drawings show embodiments of the features of the invention.

Figure l shows in vertical longitudinal ection an apparatus or machine containing one embodiment of the features of the invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view showing certain of the parts lof the devices by which the rate of advance of the pile of cloth within the storage-chamber is automatically regulated. Fig. 3, Sheet 2, is an end elevation of the apparatus or machine of Fig. 1,.look ing at the delivering end thereof. Figs. 4

and 5, .Sheet 3, and Fig. 6, Sheet 4, are views like Figs. 1, 2 and 3, showing a second embodnnent .of the features of the invention.

Fig. 7, Sheet 5, shows in vertical longitudi- I nal section an apparatus or machine in which the detector is located at the receiving end of the apparatus or machine. Fig. 8, Sheet 5, 1s an elevation of certain parts at the said'receiving end.

Having reference to the drawings,and first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3,-at 1, is a supporting framework, at 2 a vat or tank within said frameworlqand at 3 a chute through which the cloth passes continuously to the storage-chamber, from a source of Supply or from some apparatus or machine in which the cloth is treated or operated upon. The discharging end of the said chute enters between the opposite iianges 4, 4.-, of a drum having a cylindrical barrel 5, Fig. l, and having a supporting shaft 6 which is journaled in bearings 7 .fixed upon framework 1 at opposite sides of the vat or tank 2. The

greater part of the barrel and flanges of the drum below shaft 6 dips down into the vat or tank. The lower portion of the circumference of the drum is encircled by one run of a slattedl apron 8, the said run making contact with the peripheries of the flanges 4 4, so as thereby to close the lower portion of the annular space between the said flanges. The annular space of the 4flanged drum thus constitutes a storage chamber into which the web is deposited through the chute 3, and within which it remains until withdrawn at the delivering end of the apparatus or machine. In lieu ofthe chute 3, any approved means of depositing the web within the storage chamber may be employed in practice, as, for instance a folder arrangement of one of the types used in cloth and yarn handling apparatus and machines. At the receiving end of the apparatus or machine, the slatted apron extends upward and over and partly around sprocket- Wheels 9 on a supporting Shaft 10 mounted in bearings 11 on the framework l. At the delivering end, the slatted apron passes upward and outward, and-around sprocketwheels 12 upon a supporting shaft 13 mounted in bearings in stand 14, 14, rising from framework l. rIhe lower'or idle run of the slatted apron passes under vsprocket-wheels 15, 15, on supporting shafts 16, 16, mounted in bearings 17, 17, at the bottom of vat'or tank 2. The bearings of the sprocket-lwheel supporting shafts 10, 16, 16, and' of the drum-supporting shaft 6, are adjustable by means of screws 18, 18, to regulate the tension of the slatted apron and the closeness of its Iit against the peripheries of the Ilanges of the drum.

of the machine opposite that at which chute 3 is shown, by suitable feeding or draft devices, which may deliver to a succeeding apparatus or machine to which `the cloth passes from the illustrated apparatus or machine. For the purpose of positively advancing or shifting the mass of cloth bodily from the receiving end of the machine toward the delivering end thereof, I provide driving devices by means of which a traveling movement of the apron and rotation of the drum are produced. Thereby the mass of cloth is carried bodily around toward the delivering end of the machine. Such driving devices comprise in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 a ratchet-wheel 20 fixed on shaft 13, a pawl 21 engaging with said ratchet-wheel, a carrying-lever 22 to which said pawl is pivoted at 21, and an operating cam 23 for said lever, said cam being carried by a power-driven shaft 24 mounted in bearings 25, 25, supported on framework 1. As shaft 24 and cam 23 rotate, the high portion of the cam presses against lever 22 and swings the latter so as to advance the pawl 21 and'thereby rotate the ratchet-wheel 2O a step, thereby actuatin the slatted apron and drum in a forward irection. The low portion of the cam permits the return movement ofthe lever 22 and pawl 21 through the action of the gravity of lever 22.

It is intended that the pile of cloth shall be advanced toward the delivering end of the apparatus or `machine only at a rate to compensate, or f approximately compensate, for the piling of the oncoming cloth within the receiving end of the apparatus or machine, and the withdrawal of cloth at the leading end of the pile, there being substantial correspondence between'the rate of inflow at the receiving end of the machine and the rate of outfiow at the delivering end. The means for automatically regulating the rate of bodily advance of the pile comprises a detector that is arranged to be controlled by the mass of cloth, and which itself controls `the means for actuating theA storage-chamber. Figs. 1 and 3 show a. detector 2G in the form of a swinging arm "that is pivotally mounted at its lower end at 27 inv connection with the framework 1.

This detector inclines transversely inward,

as shown best in Fig. 3, past one of the drum-flanges and over the inner run of the slatted apron, into a position to be acted upon by the. leading portion of the advancing mass of cloth. Connected with the detector is a detent-arm 28 which coacts with pawl-carrying arm 22. When the leading portion' of the mass of/ cloth does not act against the detector, the latter occupies its normal position shown in Fig. 3, namely projecting inward transversely of the storage-chamber. In such position of the detector the detent occupies such relations to pawl-carrying arm 22 that the latter and the pawl are permitted to make a full recovery stroke, so that the pawl passes back ov r the maximum number of teeth of the ratchet-wheel. When, now, the cam actuates the lever 22 and pawl 21, the ratchet-wheel is turned to a corresponding extent. The result is that the actuating devices for the slatted apron operate the latter and the drum, to advance them and the mass or pile of cloth contained within the storage chamber at the maximum speed.

When the rate at which the mass or pile of cloth is advanced exceeds the rate at which the leading end thereof is reduced by withdrawal of the cloth, so that said leading end rises far enough to act against the deteetor 26 and move the same from its normal position, in this instance pressing it outward, the detent 28 is swung into position to engage with the pawl-carrying arm 22 and either prevent backward or recoverymovement of said arm and the pawl 21 carried thereby, so as to arrest the advance of the slatted apron, drum, and mass of cloth, or so limit the said backward or recoverymovement as to reduce the number of teeth passed over by the pawl in its recoverymovement, and in the latter instance reduce the rate at which the apron and drum are actuated and the mass of cloth advanced. The arrest, or the actuation at the reduced rate, Will continue until the withdrawal of the cloth from the leading end of the mass or pile permits the detector to move to its normal position once more, whereupon the actuation of the apron, drum, etc., will be resumed or they will be actuated at an increased rate.

The detent 28 may be so shaped, substantially as indicated in Fig. 3, as to gradually reduce the rate at which the apron, drum, etc., are actuated.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6, Sheets 3 and 4, show an embodiment of the invention containing a detector 26a which hangs downward from an elevated pivotal mounting 27a, and also containing a modified construction and arrangement providing for the actuation of the apron and drum and for the control of such actuation by the detector. The lower against by the leading portion of the pile V and the pawl 21.

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portion of the said detector 26 projects inward past the adjacent flange 4 of the drum and over the upwardly extending portion of the slatted apron 8, into position to be acted of cloth contained in the storage-cham er. The said modified construction and arrangement of actuating devices omits the separate power-driven shaft 24 of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The actuating cam 23Il and a connected pulley 23" to receive a suitable driving-band are mounted loosely upon the shaft 13 carrying the sprocket-wheels 12, as is also the loose band-pulley 23 to which the said drivingband is shifted when it is desired to discontinue the rotation of said cam. The carrying lever, 22, of pawl 21 is pivoted at 22b and furnished with an arm provided with an anti-friction roll 22, said roll being held up to the cam 23a by the gravity of the main arm of the lever. The prominence of the cam 23a acts against roll 22 to move lever 22a and thereby cause paWl 21 through its engagement With ratchet-Wheel 2O to rotate the latter and the shaft 13 and sprocketwheels 12 to move the slatted apron and drum to advance the pile of cloth occupying the storage-chamber. When such prominence has passed by the roll 22, the gravity of the lever 22a occasions the recovery-stroke of said lever and the pawl. The detector 26a in the case of this embodiment of the invention, also, regulates the rate of advance of the pile of cloth by suspending the recovery-stroke of the lever and paWl. To enable the said recovery-stroke to be suspended at times, the arm 22=L is formed with la. detent-shoulder 22d, and a detent 22e is mounted upon a pivot 22t upon a convenient fixed support. in proper position for engagement with said detent-shoulder at times. The detector 26aL is furnished with an arm 26b which is connected by a link 26 With the detent 22e. The parts and connections are so combined and arranged that so long as the detector occupies its normal position shown in Figs. 4 and 6 the detent 22e occupies its inoperative position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, leaving paWl-carrying lever 22 and pawl 21 free to make a complete recovf ery-stroke. Consequently, the slatted apron and drum are actuated at the maximum rate to advance the pile of cloth contained in the storagechamber. Should, however, the Withdrawal of cloth from the leading end of the pile not keep pace With the advance of such end, the actuation of the detector by the advancing cloth Will cause the detent 22e to become operative to prevent the recovery-stroke of the paWl-carrying lever 22a The actuation of the apron and drum, and advance of the pile of cloth, thereby Will be suspended until the continued Withdrawal of cloth has operated to release the detector, which will render the detent 22 inoperative so that lever 22 and pawl '21 will be permitted to actuate the slatted apron and drum.

Fig. 7, Sheet 5, shows an embodimentof the invention in which the detector, 26g, is located at the receiving end of the apparatus or machine, andy arranged to be controlled by the last-deposited portion of the pile. The said detector hangs down at one side of the chute 3 from a supporting rockshaft 26h mounted in bearings upon the chute. Rockshaft 26h is furnished with an arm 2Gi located outside the chute and connected by a link 26k With an arm 26ru on the adjacent end of a rockshaft 27m. The rockshaft 27m extends to the opposite end of the machine, andthere carries an arm 2Gb corresponding With the arm similarly designated in Figs. 4 and 6. The devices of Fig. 7 for actuating the slatted apron and drum, and the `detent-contrivance, are-the same as in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. As the cloth descending through the chute piles within the storage chamber, the last-deposited portion of the pile, filling the lower portion of the chute, presses against the detector 26g and produces a change of position thereof. Such change of position operates through the described connections to render the detent 22e inoperative, and consequently, so long as the rear portion of the pile controls the detector the actuating devices operate to advance the slatted apron and drum. Should the pile be advanced too rapidly, the rear end thereof vwill kbe carried awa-y from the detector, and the latter will be permitted to change its position, the result of which will be that through the described connections the detent will be rendered operative to suspend the actuation of the slatted apronI and drum and the advance of the pile of cloth. As soon as the cloth accumulates Within the lower end of the chute to an extent sufficient to control the detector again, the detent Will be rendered inoperative once more and the actuation of the slatte'd apron and drum, and advance of the pile, Will be resumed.

lt has been stated herein that one aim of the invention is to provide for automatically regulating the rate of travel of the cloth in being Withdrawn from the storage-chamber, or being supplied thereto, so as to guard against an over-accumulation in the storage-chamber, or too early withdrawal of the cloth therefrom. This provision is made b v connecting 'the detector with speed-varying devices in connection with the coperating devices or machine by which the cloth is withdrawn from the pile or delivered thereto, as the case may be. Fig. 3 shows a portion of the connecting means, such portion comprising an arm 30 projecting from feeler 26, and a rod 31 extending upward from the said arm. In practice the upper portion of saidrod will be connected directly or indi- `rectly to speed-varyin devices in connection with the devices or withdrawing the cloth from the pile contained in the storagechamber of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 3 and the parts will beoinbined and arranged so that advance of the leading end of the pile beyond the normal extent' will act through thel feeler, etc., to increase the speed of the withdrawing devices, to thereby in- .crease the rate of withdrawal of the cloth from the storage-chamber. As soon as the pile has become so far reduced by reason of the increased rate of withdrawalv as to relieve the' detectorof the action of the leading portion of the pile thereagainst, the

speed of the withdrawing devices will be' reduced to the normal once more.

Figs. 4 and 6 show a portion of a `rod 31 having its lower end connected to the arm 26" of the detector. The action is intended to be similar to that in the case of Figs. 1 and 3. `Fig. 7 shows a portion of a rod 31 connected to the arm 26m on rockshaft 27m. In this case, when the rear portion of the 'pile of cloth attains the predetermined.

' of parts may in some cases be varied in practice. While I have shown and described a slatted apron, other forms of flexible carriers adapted for coperation with a flanged drum or the equivalent thereof may be employed instead. In some cases means for varying the rate of advance of the pile contained in the piling or storage apparatus or machine may be used without the means for varying the rate of delivery to the said machine or withdrawal therefrom, or vice versa. While I have described the employment of the apparatus or machine in operating upon cloth, I regard it as within the scope of my invention to employ the same in operation upon yarnsin continuous skein orm.

I' claim as my invention: 1. Cloth piling'A apparatus" employed in bleaching, dyeing, and the like processes, comprising aanged drum, an endless apron extending partly around the drum-flanges peripherally and coperating to form a storage-chamber inclosed by the drum, its flanges, and the said apron, into which the cloth may be continuously piled, within which it remains stored and undergoing the age-chamber into which action of the solution with which it is charged, and from which it may continuously bewlthdrawn, a vat or tank inclosing said drum and apron, and means for actu-4 ating the apron and drum to slowly revolve 3. Cloth piling apparatus comprising a flanged drum, an endless apron extending partly around the drum-flanges peripherally and coperating to form a storage-chamber inclosed by the drum, its flanges, and the said apron, means for actuatin the apron and drum to slowly revolve t e storagechamber and advance the pile of cloth therein bodily therewith from the receiving point tovthat of withdrawal, and means controlled by the store or accumulation itself within said storage-chamber for governing the action of the apron and drum.

4. Cloth-piling apparatus having a storcontinuous web may -be piled, within which the cloth may become accumulated or stored, and out of which the cloth may be continuously withdrawn from the accumulation or store, pawl-and-ratchet means for advancing theA accumulation or store bodily, and means through which the store or accumulation itself controls the said pawl-and-ratchet means and thereby governs the rate of the advance.

5. Cloth piling apparatus comprising a flanged drum, an endless apron extendlng partly around the drum-flanges peripherally and coperating to form a storage-chamber inclosed by the drum, its flanges, and the said apron, pawl-and-ratchet devices for actuating the apron and drum to slowly revolve the storage-chamber and advance the pile of cloth bodily from the receiving point to that of withdrawal, and a detector controlled by the store or accumulation itself within the storage-chamber and ,operatively controlling the action of the said pawl-andratchet devices and the movement of the apron and drum.

6. Cloth piling apparatus having a storage-chamber into which a continuous web may be piled, within which the cloth may become accumulated or stored, and out of which the cloth may be continuously withdrawn, and means controlled by the store or accumulation itself for regulating the rate of travel of the web externally of the said store or accumulation, to thereby control the volume of the latter.

7. Cloth piling apparatus having a storage-chamber into which a continuous Web may be piled, Within which the cloth may become accumulated or stored, and out of which the cloth may be continuously Withdrawn from the accumulation or store, means for advancing the accumulation or store bodily, and devices through which the accumulation or store itself controls the said advance and regulates the rate of travel of the web externally oi the accumulation or 15 store to thereby control the -volume of the latter.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WVILLARD I. LEWIS.

Vitnesses:

CHAs. F. RANDALL, NATHAN B. DAY. 

